on the eve

It's snowing here again. Pretty, small flakes are coating the streets and sidewalks now. I've done all my errands, my children have gone to my parents for the next few days and I'm taking the day to paint my living room white and make cranberry orange marmalade. Or lacking ambition, I can always sit by the fire, drink tea and read some more. Have a safe and happy New Year's eve. See you in 2009!

after the holidays

The magical snow we had before Christmas has melted, now it's back to gray skies, brown grass and bare trees. We're cozied up around the stove drinking tea, playing with new toys and reading books. And recovering from all the fun we had with our friends and family last week! It truly was a wonderful holiday for us, although we missed our family members on the west coast that weren't able to make it back this year. Thank you for all your lovely holiday wishes in the previous post. I am so looking forward to getting started on new projects in 2009!

happy holidays

This will be my last post before Christmas, as we will be busy with family and friends for the next week or so. I wish you all warm and wonderful holidays wherever you are!
xo Jill

***

Snow is on the way today, or so they say. School was cancelled in anticipation, and the kids and I just went out on a jaunt to Harvard Square. We stopped at Burdick's for a hot chocolate and finished up our Christmas shopping. This weekend we will be making cookies. I loved hearing your favorites from the previous post and I am inspired to make something with chocolate, nuts, raisins, ginger and molasses. I think I'll combine a couple of different recipes and hope for the best. Cheers!

looking up

Looking up today for inspiration. Wintry skies, colorful lights, and water droplets becoming a string of brightness in the sun. Tomorrow snow is coming!

tree and eggnog

We had fun sitting back, drinking eggnog, and watching the kids decorate the tree. Okay, they did fight over ornaments, but the shots of cognac and jack daniels my husband put in my eggnog took the edge off it.

holidaze

Here are a few of my favorite little Christmas ornaments. Right now I'm thinking about what kind of holiday sweets to make for friends. Nothing too complicated, but something delicious. What's your favorite holiday cookie?

holiday madness @ poppytalk handmade

I've added some hobo bags to my shop, because today is the opening of Poppytalk Handmade's last market of 2008! I love these bags because they are light, sturdy, and pretty. They fold nicely, which makes them great for packing in your suitcase when you travel, and they can be used around town to tote all your goods if you are doing errands.

You can check out my wares at Poppytalk Handmade here, or find lots of other goodies here. Of note, Angela Liguori and the Albertine Press. Both shops sell lovely paper products and other wonderful things, like ribbons and string, and both are friends of mine from the Boston area.

There's also a little interview of me over on Ruth's design blog, Chickedee-Chickedee. Ruth interviews many interesting artists and designers and I was flattered to be included!

Thanks so much to all of you for reading and encouraging me with all this business stuff! This will be my last "marketing" post for a while, and I will be around all week with holiday themed posts to give you a break from shopping.

hot soup

It has been pouring rain for two days straight now. I have been eating lots of miso soup this fall with white miso, tofu, scallions, and a few drops of toasted sesame oil. I will probably make it for lunch again today and have it with an apple and possibly a little slice of the chocolate cake I made for my husband's birthday on Wednesday. And a cup of jasmine green tea. Sounds good, right?

Have a great weekend, and I look forward to catching up on all your blogs! Until Monday, then.

p.s. i ordered this and it arrived yesterday. very cute little book. you can order it here.

bits of red

Little bits of red are so cheery this time of year! I'm taking a little blog break this week while I finish up projects, celebrate birthdays, and do some holiday shopping. I should be back by Friday. Have a nice week in the meantime!

windows

Windows looking out and windows looking in. First, the window in my studio, looking out onto our street. And when Lucy draws, I get a little window into her soul. Have a great weekend, everyone!

pretty things for holiday giving

I just updated my shop yesterday with some beautiful new items, all under $15.00! There are little zip purses in soft plaids with contrasting linen lining, lavender pillows in unique vintage florals, and postcard sets of my photos. Separately, each item makes an adorable little package, put two or three together and you have a lovely gift that’s still reasonably priced. All items are gift wrapped in white tissue paper and tied with pretty string or ribbon. I will include a gift card upon request. I’ve also reduced the shipping charges on these small items by $2.00 on international and Canadian orders. (U.S. shipping is still the same) A big thank you to Jan of Poppytalk for posting about this on her blog. Happy shopping, and don't forget to check out the other shops over on Poppytalk Handmade. Oh, and Pia has been doing a lovely gift guide over at her blog. I want one of everything! She was kind enough to mention my pillows too. Thanks, Pia!

advent

Advent calendars are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I've had one (or two or three) every year since I can remember. Now I can't resist getting them for my kids too. I like the old fashioned looking ones the best. There's something special about opening a new little door each day and seeing the treasure inside. Come to think of it, this is exactly what I love about reading blogs too...a new surprise each time you visit.

I've updated my shop today, more on that tomorrow!

a walk

A weekend walk over the marsh in Essex. The light was just right in the late afternoon, making everything golden. Happy December 1st to you all. Shop updates and holiday cheer coming your way this week!

studio today

Working on some things in my studio today. I'll show you how they turned out early next week when I add them to my shop. I have two more holiday fairs coming up in early December, so I'm still working on some last minute things. This afternoon though, was dedicated to making pie. Will and I made two, pumpkin and pecan. Have a great Thanksgiving, those of you who are celebrating. It is a long weekend for us, so I'll see you back here Monday!